"It's cars vs. walls, cars in ditches," said another Illinois State trooper.

Salt trucks were busy at work.

Bridges, ramps and overpasses were freezing first and particular trouble spots. Police closed several area bridges, including the 9th Street bridge over the Des Plaines River in Lockport. They also cited the Des Plaines River Valley Bridge on I-355 as a bad spot.

Rising temperatures were easing the situation as the morning wore on, however.

The National Weather Service said scattered showers would end early this morning, but that unsalted and lesser-dtraveled roadways likely would have icy patches, making travel difficult.

"Persons traveling early this morning should use extra caution and be prepared to encounter slick spots," the weather service said.

But the ice should melt by mid-morning, it added. A high temperature of 48 degrees was expected today.